Rookie Gyasi Zardes gets the start up top next to Keane with Jose Villarreal probably featuring at some point as a sub.

Analysis: The Sounders will try to attack LA rookie left-back Greg Cochrane with the duo of Mauro Rosales and DeAndre Yedlin. Alonso’s absence in the center will definitely hurt, but Carrasco has been playing extremely well lately. Up front Martins and Johnson get only their second start together. They’ll have their work cut out for them trying to beat LA’s AJ DeLaGarza and Omar Gonzalez.

This game will be won or lost on the flanks. Seattle will have to track the movement of Landon Donovan who will start wide, but cut in and drift all around the pitch. Brad Evans’ work rate on the left should help with Donovan and protect Seattle left back Leo Gonzalez. If the Sounders can exploit Michael Stephens and Greg Cochrane and get crosses into Johnson and Martins they’ll win. Up top, Gyasi Zardes is an x-factor for the Galaxy. He’s young, but has a ton of skill and can be a game-changer.